York Township rolls out single-hauler trash program

YORK TWP. — Concerns including the difficulty for some to move large cans to their curbs and the inability to opt out of service were expressed Wednesday in York Township as waste containers from Rumpke Waste & Recycling, now the community's single trash hauler, were delivered to homes. Rumpke is scheduled to begin its first round of trash pickup in York on Monday. In October, township trustees and Rumpke, based out of Colerain Township just outside of Cincinnati, finalized a five-year deal that handed the company all trash pickup responsibilities in the township. Rumpke's services already had been used by some York residents along with other providers including Dover-based Kimble Companies, Medina-based C Martin Trucking and Arizona-based Republic Services. Rumpke's bid to take over all pickup service was approved by trustees on Sept. 26. A cease-and-desist notification was later sent to other companies that have been providing trash pickup in York, instructing them to end any billing cycles on or before Sunday. Even with service starting soon, many residents are not happy. "I am 75 years old with a heart condition. How am I supposed to take large containers down my 220-foot-long gravel driveway," an email from a York resident sent to The Gazette on Wednesday asked. "My brother-in-law is 83 years old and has to use a cane to walk. His drive is 200 feet long. Did anyone ever consider how the elderly residents of York are to move those large containers?" Trustee Bill Pavlick said Rumpke has agreed to pick up waste bins for residents that are placed up to 150 feet away from the curb as long as that home presents documentation of a disability from a medical professional. Once that documentation is obtained, residents can present it at the York Township Office Building, 6609 Norwalk Road, and fill out a change of service form between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. This process can only be completed in person. "This form isn't age related; it's for anyone who has some type of disability," Pavlick said. "Rumpke will come up and get the bins up to 150 feet and then whatever truck comes through last, whether it's the trash or recycling truck, will take the bins back up to where they were up to 150 feet." Residents had the option to opt out of services with Rumpke during January, but once a 6 percent customer threshold equaling roughly 100 residents was met, that option was no longer available. Officials expect the opt-out period to fall in January during future years in the contract. After the five-year agreement has expired, a year-to-year renewal option for an additional three years will be considered. Those who opt out have the option to take their trash to the Medina County Solid Waste District headquarters at 8700 Lake Road, Seville. Since meeting the 6 percent limit, Pavlick said the township received about 40 requests to opt out of service that have been denied. "They really don't have any options at this point as this is a binding contract," he said regarding those 40 requests. "We had to guarantee Rumpke a certain number of households in order to get their bid. We would've had a similar situation no matter who ended up with the contract." Pavlick said new benefits with Rumpke include curbside recycling and many residents will see significantly lower bills than what they were paying under multiple carriers. "Some of our folks will be paying around half of what they were paying under Republic," he said. "Depending on where you were at and when you signed up with Republic, you were seeing bills of $128 or more. Rumpke came in at $59. Then it only increased by about 2 percent over the five-year contract." That $59 figure refers to what residents pay for three months of standard pickup under Rumpke, which is offering two service options. Standard service costs $19.65 per month and provides a 95-gallon trash bin and 65-gallon recycling bin. Residents can request a smaller 65-gallon trash container. Bulk service is included with the option. A "bag service" program is available for a monthly rate of $7. Bags are sold in rolls of 10 at $25.40 per roll and may be purchased by calling Rumpke at (800) 828-8171. A 65-gallon recycling cart is included with bag service. Residents can change services after the first 90 days by calling but that switch carries a $15 fee. Bulk collection service is available for a $10 per item fee. The bag service monthly charge is set to gradually rise to $7.73 by year five. Curbside recycling pickup is provided under both standard and bag service. Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330) 721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.